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I
Getting from here to there
UTSA reviews intercampus busing
As the University's intercampus commuters complete their first few weeks using
VIA #93 Crossroads-UTSA Express bus, UTSA administrators are reviewing the
service to determine ways to help ease riders' concerns about scheduling.
"This is something new for the University and for VIA," says Powell Trotti,
director of business operations for the UTSA Downtown Campus. "UTSA wants to
provide all intercampus commuters with the best transportation service possible.
"The University's shuttle service ran well during the summer, but with the
increased numbers of riders for the fall semester and only one 32-passenger
shuttle available, we had to consider other options," he adds.
Contracting with VIA allowed UTSA to offer more trips than were possible
with one shuttle or through the purchase of a second shuttle, which was also
considered.
University Police Chief Ron Seacrist acknowledges that VIA's route takes
longer than the University's shuttle did because of its stops at Crossroads Mall,
but he adds that UTSA and VIA officials are exploring ways to reduce trip
times and minimize other inconveniences riders have experienced.
University Police are reviewing the program and will discuss their findings
with VIA, according to Seacrist.
"Most of the problems campus riders have experienced should subside as
regular commuters become familiar with the location of the VIA stops serving
the Downtown Campus," he says.
Riders traveling to the campus from downtown board the bus at Commerce
and Santa Rosa streets. Riders arriving downtown from campus can deboard at
either Santa Rosa and Dolorosa streets or Commerce and Santa Rosa streets.
VIA has agreed to place signs identifying the stops as boarding or deboarding
locations for UTSA riders. He says the University may also explore the possibility of requesting that VIA provide shelter at the stops.
Additionally, VIA officials have taken steps to ensure that all bus drivers are
familiar with the University I.D. cards issued to faculty, staff and students.
University shuttle drivers who ferry riders between bus stops and the main
entrance to the Frio Street Building drive the route continuously between
7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Drivers have been instructed to circle the block a second time if the incoming bus has not yet arrived.
In addition, Seacrist says the University shuttle will make one run at 9:45 p.m.
Monday through Wednesday and 10:45 p.m. Thursday from the Downtown
Campus, for those whose work or class concludes after 9 p.m. VIA's last westbound pickup leaves downtown at 9:06 p.m.
"Implementing a new system of any kind entails a period of adjustment,"
Seacrist says. "For some riders, the answer may be as simple as catching an earlier bus, although we realize this isn't possible for everyone, particularly faculty
and students who may have only an hour between classes at the different campuses."
Michael Gilbert, an associate professor of criminal justice who teaches at the
Downtown Campus and rides the bus, applauds the University's efforts to create a dual-campus system and provide transportation between the two.
He feels that some adjustments to class scheduling may have to be considered to provide more travel time between classes.
Faculty, staff and students with questions or suggestions related to the VIA
service should call 458-4246.
Vega steers Metropolitan Research and Policy Institute
William A.Vega has assumed duties as director of
UTSA's Metropolitan Research and Policy Institute
(MRPI), which is housed in the Frio Street Building
at the UTSA Downtown Campus.
He will oversee activities of the institute, created
as a forum for basic and applied interdisciplinary
research related to the social sciences and public
policy.
The MRPI will also provide issue-based education
for individuals and agencies involved in policy matters and will offer direct services for nonprofit and
community groups.
A veteran academician and researcher, Vega was
professor of behavioral sciences at the University of
California at Berkeley School of Public Health,
where he earned master's and doctoral degrees in
criminology.
He has also served on the faculties of the
University of Miami, San Diego State University, the
University of Maryland and California State
University at Sacramento.
Vega has written or co-written 78 research articles
and has been a principal investigator, co-principal
investigator or researcher in more than a dozen
studies.
He is a contributing editor to the International
Journal of the Addictions and a member of the editorial board for the American Journal of
Community Psychology.
William A.Vega, director of the Metropolitan
Research and Policy Institute
DEDICATED TO SAN ANTONIO
Dedication ceremonies for the
Frio Street Building and the UTSA
Downtown Campus begin at 9 a.m.
Sept. 26. A community open
house featuring refreshments,
tours, live music and drawings for
door prizes is planned for 4—7 p.m.
All faculty, staff and students are
invited. The University community
is also invited to a special dedication mass in honor of UTSA at
9 a.m. Sept. 28 in San Fernando
Cathedral. See the Sept. 22 issue
of the Roadrunner for more information about the day's activities.
WW('.■■ '.;.::

I
Getting from here to there
UTSA reviews intercampus busing
As the University's intercampus commuters complete their first few weeks using
VIA #93 Crossroads-UTSA Express bus, UTSA administrators are reviewing the
service to determine ways to help ease riders' concerns about scheduling.
"This is something new for the University and for VIA," says Powell Trotti,
director of business operations for the UTSA Downtown Campus. "UTSA wants to
provide all intercampus commuters with the best transportation service possible.
"The University's shuttle service ran well during the summer, but with the
increased numbers of riders for the fall semester and only one 32-passenger
shuttle available, we had to consider other options," he adds.
Contracting with VIA allowed UTSA to offer more trips than were possible
with one shuttle or through the purchase of a second shuttle, which was also
considered.
University Police Chief Ron Seacrist acknowledges that VIA's route takes
longer than the University's shuttle did because of its stops at Crossroads Mall,
but he adds that UTSA and VIA officials are exploring ways to reduce trip
times and minimize other inconveniences riders have experienced.
University Police are reviewing the program and will discuss their findings
with VIA, according to Seacrist.
"Most of the problems campus riders have experienced should subside as
regular commuters become familiar with the location of the VIA stops serving
the Downtown Campus," he says.
Riders traveling to the campus from downtown board the bus at Commerce
and Santa Rosa streets. Riders arriving downtown from campus can deboard at
either Santa Rosa and Dolorosa streets or Commerce and Santa Rosa streets.
VIA has agreed to place signs identifying the stops as boarding or deboarding
locations for UTSA riders. He says the University may also explore the possibility of requesting that VIA provide shelter at the stops.
Additionally, VIA officials have taken steps to ensure that all bus drivers are
familiar with the University I.D. cards issued to faculty, staff and students.
University shuttle drivers who ferry riders between bus stops and the main
entrance to the Frio Street Building drive the route continuously between
7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Drivers have been instructed to circle the block a second time if the incoming bus has not yet arrived.
In addition, Seacrist says the University shuttle will make one run at 9:45 p.m.
Monday through Wednesday and 10:45 p.m. Thursday from the Downtown
Campus, for those whose work or class concludes after 9 p.m. VIA's last westbound pickup leaves downtown at 9:06 p.m.
"Implementing a new system of any kind entails a period of adjustment,"
Seacrist says. "For some riders, the answer may be as simple as catching an earlier bus, although we realize this isn't possible for everyone, particularly faculty
and students who may have only an hour between classes at the different campuses."
Michael Gilbert, an associate professor of criminal justice who teaches at the
Downtown Campus and rides the bus, applauds the University's efforts to create a dual-campus system and provide transportation between the two.
He feels that some adjustments to class scheduling may have to be considered to provide more travel time between classes.
Faculty, staff and students with questions or suggestions related to the VIA
service should call 458-4246.
Vega steers Metropolitan Research and Policy Institute
William A.Vega has assumed duties as director of
UTSA's Metropolitan Research and Policy Institute
(MRPI), which is housed in the Frio Street Building
at the UTSA Downtown Campus.
He will oversee activities of the institute, created
as a forum for basic and applied interdisciplinary
research related to the social sciences and public
policy.
The MRPI will also provide issue-based education
for individuals and agencies involved in policy matters and will offer direct services for nonprofit and
community groups.
A veteran academician and researcher, Vega was
professor of behavioral sciences at the University of
California at Berkeley School of Public Health,
where he earned master's and doctoral degrees in
criminology.
He has also served on the faculties of the
University of Miami, San Diego State University, the
University of Maryland and California State
University at Sacramento.
Vega has written or co-written 78 research articles
and has been a principal investigator, co-principal
investigator or researcher in more than a dozen
studies.
He is a contributing editor to the International
Journal of the Addictions and a member of the editorial board for the American Journal of
Community Psychology.
William A.Vega, director of the Metropolitan
Research and Policy Institute
DEDICATED TO SAN ANTONIO
Dedication ceremonies for the
Frio Street Building and the UTSA
Downtown Campus begin at 9 a.m.
Sept. 26. A community open
house featuring refreshments,
tours, live music and drawings for
door prizes is planned for 4—7 p.m.
All faculty, staff and students are
invited. The University community
is also invited to a special dedication mass in honor of UTSA at
9 a.m. Sept. 28 in San Fernando
Cathedral. See the Sept. 22 issue
of the Roadrunner for more information about the day's activities.
WW('.■■ '.;.::